Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Meryl Streep and The Magic of Music

The movie is built on a captivating premise: What would happen if
you pursue your dream? In Florence Foster Jenkins’ case, her bucket list
included singing opera at New York’s Carnegie Hall. Everything would be fine
and dandy, except for one thing – the aspiring operatic diva cannot hit the
right notes.

The true-to-life biopic is an engaging one, where Meryl Streep
shines as Florence Foster Jenkins, the heiress with an innate love for music.
It has always been her dream to be a famous opera singer, and that dream was
made possible by her chutzpah and the loving support bestowed by her husband St.
Clair Bayfield (played by Hugh Grant) and her pianist Cosme McMoon (Big Bang
Theory’s Simon Helberg).

One would understand the other characters’ reluctance in the
beginning. Florence is not exactly gifted in the musical arts, and yet, she was
able to sing on-air and to sold-out crowds. What is even more amazing is that
it is based on a true story: one month before she passed away in November 1944,
at the age of 76, Florence was able to hold her first and only concert at the
world-famous theatrical venue, to an audience that included the city’s Who’s
Who, including composer Cole Porter, soprano Lily Pons and silent-film actress
Tallulah Bankhead.

The film is a tragic-comedy about the effects of love and the
spirit to endure. Florence was struck by an illness in her early age, and
endured countless treatments which caused her to have a progressive loss of her
mental faculties and her constant fatigue. What kept her alive was her love of
music and the love of her second husband, who indulged in her fantasies. It was
her joy in singing that kept her alive.

The movie is already being hailed by critics, garnering a high
rating of 98% from movie site Rotten Tomatoes, and the lead actors are said to
be at their cinematic best. The movie is inspiring and uplifting, as it ends
with a lesson on working hard to make your dreams come true –with a little help
from your friends.

Florence
Foster Jenkins shows in Philippine cinemas on August 24, produced by
Pathè, BBC Films,
Qwerty Films Production and is exclusively distributed by Octoarts Films
International.